Fortune Across the World

Chapter 110: Ascending Affection on Wan Mountain (Part 2)

"Brother Yu said Sister Qing should decide," one of the older kids replied.

The smallest girl tugged on Fu Ruqing's skirt, enthusiastically echoing, "Sister Qing decides!"

"You little rascals are bothering the young master enough, and now you're pestering the young lady too!" scolded some of the women who had come out with Fu Ruqing.

"It's fine," Fu Ruqing interjected, stopping the women from scolding. Feeling the gentle tug on her skirt, she added, "They're very cute." She could do nothing against the little one's insistence, so she resignedly followed her to where everyone was gathered.

The women exchanged glances. Since neither the young lady nor the young master minded, they returned indoors, leaving the young lady and her "future husband" to their company.

Yinsuo, trailing behind Fu Ruqing, felt a surge of joy. Who knew the young lady loved children so much? When had she ever shown such gentleness before?

Ding Qiyu noticed Fu Ruqing's helplessness, finding it both amusing and endearing. She stood from the stone bench and offered a warm smile, "The children want you to decide on a design."

Fu Ruqing nodded in agreement, but the smile reminded her of the women's earlier speculations, prompting her to avert her gaze from Ding Qiyu.

The little girl released Fu Ruqing's hand once they reached Ding Qiyu, and the other children naturally made space for them to stand together.

Fu Ruqing glanced at the materials on the table, pondering silently before suggesting, "A butterfly, perhaps?" She recalled a butterfly kite her father once bought her and the memory of her mother holding her as they watched it soar. The memory, however, was so blurred that she couldn't distinguish if it was a dream or a real recollection.

Ding Qiyu thought a butterfly was a great idea—simple to make and visually appealing. The children, already inclined to adore Fu Ruqing, eagerly supported the idea, "Let's make a butterfly, Brother Yu!"

With a decision made, a circle of eager faces surrounded the stone table, watching Ding Qiyu as she started crafting the kite. Fu Ruqing stood beside her, a hint of curiosity and anticipation in her heart, hopeful that Ding Qiyu would create a beautiful butterfly kite. Yinsuo, uninterested in the kite, simply observed her young lady's interaction with Ding Qiyu.

Ding Qiyu cut a large butterfly shape from the paper and picked up a brush to decorate it, hesitating because painting a beautiful picture with a brush was beyond her skill.

"I'll do it," Fu Ruqing offered, noticing her hesitation, and volunteered to paint the kite.

Ding Qiyu paused, raising an eyebrow as she turned to look at her companion, then set the brush down and stepped aside, allowing the young lady to take the lead. She was curious to see what Fu Ruqing would create, knowing her talents extended beyond business, despite her early misfortunes.

Stepping forward, Fu Ruqing deftly picked up the brush, dipped its tip lightly into the inkstone, and held her plain sleeve with her other hand. After a brief moment of contemplation, she began to paint, letting the ink flow with precision and grace, completing the picture in one continuous motion.

Ding Qiyu watched as an impressionistic ink butterfly came to life on the paper. It lacked vibrant colors and intricate lines, yet the contrasting ink strokes captured its essence beautifully. Her gaze traveled from the ink on the paper to the brush tip, then to Fu Ruqing's fair fingers, plain robe, and veiled face, finally resting on her focused eyes before returning to the butterfly. For the first time, Ding Qiyu realized that simplicity could be breathtakingly beautiful—enough to leave one breathless.